I Thought I Needed a Sleep Aid Forever—Then Something Changed
Laura Longville
For nearly 20 years, I relied on a sleep aid to help me rest. It became part of my nightly routine—something I believed I needed in order to sleep. Today, I have been off sleep aids for eight months.
I share this not as a recommendation for anyone to stop taking medication. Decisions about sleep aids should always be made carefully and, when appropriate, with the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. I share it because my experience has helped me understand just how deeply sleep and mental health are connected.
When we do not sleep well, everything can feel harder. Our patience may become thinner. Our thoughts may race faster. Small concerns can feel overwhelming, and emotions that usually seem manageable can feel much bigger. At the same time, stress and anxiety can make sleep more difficult, creating a frustrating cycle: we cannot sleep because we are stressed, and we become more stressed because we cannot sleep.
A NARM-informed approach invites us to meet this cycle with curiosity instead of judgment. Rather than asking, “What is wrong with me?” we might gently ask, “What is my body trying to communicate?”
“What is my body trying to communicate?”
For me, moving away from sleep aids was not simply about removing something from my routine. It became an opportunity to listen more closely to myself. I began noticing what helped me feel safe enough to rest, what kept my mind activated, and how my daytime choices affected my nighttime experience.
I also learned that progress does not always look perfect. Some nights are restful; others are not. The goal is not to force the body into sleep or criticize ourselves when rest does not come easily. The invitation is to build a more supportive relationship with ourselves.
A few gentle practices may help:
Create a consistent bedtime and wake-up time.
Reduce screen exposure and upsetting content before bed.
Give yourself time to transition instead of expecting your mind to shut off instantly.
Try slow breathing, prayer, calming music, or gentle stretching.
Write down unfinished thoughts so your mind does not have to hold them overnight.
Seek professional support when sleep problems continue or interfere with daily life.
Eight months without sleep aids feels significant after relying on them for two decades. More than anything, this journey has reminded me that our bodies are not working against us. Often, they are doing their best to protect us with the tools they have learned.
Rest may not come through pressure or perfection. Sometimes it begins with compassion, curiosity, and the willingness to hear what our bodies have been trying to say.